On Tuesday, October 22, the Minister of Agriculture, Armands Krauze, during a working visit to Paris, France, met with the leadership of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the management of France's National Forest Management Company. He also attended the international food exhibition “SIAL - 2024”.
During his meeting with Marion Jansen, Director of the OECD’s Trade and Agriculture Directorate, Minister Krauze emphasized Latvia’s readiness to engage in fact-based discussions with the OECD and its member states, sharing experiences enacting different policies. He also stressed the importance of subsidies in Latvia’s agricultural sector, noting that this tool should not be underestimated simply because some countries use it less than others.
In talks with the leadership of France's National Forest Management Company, the minister discussed current challenges in the forestry sector related to achieving climate goals. He emphasized that productive and resilient forests are key to meeting climate targets. That includes constructing wooden buildings and using wood in long-lasting products, which significantly improve the overall balance of greenhouse gas emissions.
Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze also attended the international food exhibition “SIAL - 2024,” where the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, organized a collective stand for Latvian companies.
Participation in international exhibitions is a crucial tool for promoting exports, and "SIAL - 2024" is one of the world’s most important food exhibitions.
This year, the exhibition featured well-known Latvian companies, some of which are AS “Balticovo,” AS “Smiltenes Piens,” SIA “Gaļas Pārstrādes Uzņēmums Nākotne,” SIA “Very Berry,” SIA “Forevers,” SIA “Skrīveru Saldumi,” SIA “Fruitis Foods,” SIA “Cannelle Bakery,” SIA “Lat Eko Food,” SIA "Karavela," and many others.
Ilze Bogdanova, CEO of AS “Smiltenes Piens,” noted, “We spent five very dynamic days presenting our company and our products. We met with existing partners and potential new buyers during the exhibition. To increase export volumes, it is essential not only to participate in international exhibitions ourselves but also to see and sample new products, familiarizing ourselves with the trends in product development. We appreciate the financial support and industry-wide joint stands that allow companies to participate in these exhibitions.”
"Export exhibitions are a platform to showcase our products to the world—a place where industry professionals, producers, and traders meet. From our export experience, participation in exhibitions is undoubtedly the primary way to open new sales channels," explained Agnese Jankūna, board member of “Gaļas Pārstrādes Uzņēmums Nākotne.”
“Participation in exhibitions and export promotion support is significant for small businesses, too. Exhibitions require extensive preparation from producers, so we value the chance to join a professionally prepared collective stand where we are free to focus on the most important things - building contacts and presenting products,” noted Liāna Vikmane, board member of SIA “Baltic Seaberry,” a producer of sea buckthorn products. "This kind of support should undoubtedly continue in the future."
Alise Graci, head of SIA “Felici,” better known with their brand - “Graci”, shared about the exhibition experience, “International exhibitions are the primary growth path for our company - it’s where we meet potential clients from around the world. It’s the first impulse and initial contact for further collaboration. Our experience shows that industry exhibitions require regular, yearly participation. From the time a potential partner learns about us, it can take up to six years to finalize a contract: in the first years, they notice us, then get acquainted over the next 2-3 years, and only after that does real collaboration begin.”
This year, the Latvian collective stand reached a record size of 491 square meters. Across six themed sections - dairy products, delicacies, fresh meat, sweets, beverages, and alternative products - a total of 36 companies participated. Additionally, 12 participants were represented in the fish industry stand. Overall, Latvia was represented by more than 50 companies at the exhibition, marking the highest number of participants to date, especially compared to 2004, when only five Latvian companies participated.